Livingston and St Mirren played out a 1-1 draw at the Home of the Set Fare Arena, a point that is massive for both teams as they look to avoid relegation.

Livingston came into this one off the back of three defeats and two draws in their last five, with their last result being a valuable point against Rangers. Livingston were bottom of the table with 13 points from 28 games and without a win in 26 league games.

St Mirren had lost three and won two of their last five, however were dismantled 5-0 at home to Motherwell in their last match, they sat in 10th place with 23 points from 27 games as they look to avoid any relegation battles.

Livingston made just one change coming into this one, as Cristian Montano who was sent off against Rangers last week was replaced by Babacar Fati.

Stephen Robinson made six changes to the team that lost to Motherwell as Richard King, Declan John, Jacob Devaney, Roland Idowu, Conor McMenamin and Jake Young were replaced by Jayden Richardson, Scott Tanser, Mikael Mandron, Dan Nlundulu, Marcus Fraser and Keanu Baccus.

The First real change fell to Livingston as they countered after a good run by Lewis Smith and his cross was almost perfect but Scott Pittman wasn’t able to convert

St Mirren were quick to get a chance of their own as Jaden Richardson connected to a great cross but it was knocked onto the crossbar by Livingston keeper Jerome Prior.

St Mirren would have another shot at goal through KIllian Phillips but Brooklyn Kabongalo took one in the face to stop his team conceding.

Just after the quarter hour mark, Livingston struggled to play out from the back presenting a chance to Mikael Mandron but his shot went over the bar.

Livingston would get another chance just before 20 minutes as a misread of the situation by Marcus Fraser allowed the ball to bounce to Robbie Muirhead but he rushed the shot and it went over the bar.

Mark O’Hara was next to try his luck for St MIrren, as his looping shot bounced off the top of the net, as it had Prior backtracking.

Livingston would fashion another chance for themselves down the left hand side eventually ending a shot by Pittman but it was wide.

Marvin Bartley’s team would get another soon after, Smith again looking threatening and his powerful shot was well saved by St Mirren keeper Shamal George.

As we approached half-time the deadlock was broken as Dan Nlundulu’s header from a Mikael Mandron cross was floated into the corner of the goal past Prior, that was his fourth of the season.

St Mirren threatened from a corner early on in the second half with Phillips and Nlundulu having shots that were blocked by the Livingston defenders.

Stephen Robinson’s team got quickfire double chances from both Mandron and Nlundulu, both were blocked by the scrambling Livingston defense.

Another chance for St MIrren as this time it was Mark O’Hara who rifled a shot just wide of the goal after a cross was headered away.

The game went into a lull where no team was really creating much, Livingston made subs to try and have an impact on the game but it was working as they wanted.

Babacar Fati was able to get a shot away for Livingston but it wasn’t troubling George who watched it sail over.

Livingston would get their equaliser as substitute Barrie McKay’s cross was headed in a similar fashion to Nlundulu in the first half by Kabongolo, it’s his second in two games after his strike opened the scoring last week against Rangers.

Substitute Joel Nouble was able to get a shot away for Livingston but his shot went harmlessly over the bar.

Livingston were the ones pushing to win the game. There were six minutes added. They had a few corners but just couldn’t find the magic touch that could win the game for them.

There was then a fair bit of confusion as Mikael Mandron was injured and then substituted off before running back on the park and playing as a 12th man for around 30 seconds, he left the field of play and was booked. 

The game came to an end all square as the teams continue their fight to avoid relegation as remain in the league.

Livingston’s next game is against Hibernian at Easter Road next Saturday which looks to be a tricky test for the team from West Lothian.

As for St Mirren they have a much quicker turnaround as they play Dundee United on Tuesday night as they look to pull away from Kilmarnock who currently sit in the relegation play off.

Livingston

Jerome Prior, Babacar Fati, Ryan McGowan, Scott Pittman (Mo Sylla 86), Robbie Muirhead (Joel Nouble 68), Lewis Smith (Barrie McKay 59), Daniel Finlayson, Emmanuel Danso (Jeremy Bokila 59) , Brooklyn Kabongolo, Macaulay Tait, Danny Wilson.

St Mirren

Shamal George, Jayden Richardson, Scott Tanser, Mark O’Hara, Mikael Mandron, Alex Gogic, Dan Nlundulu, Miguel Freckleton, Marcus Fraser, Keanu Baccus, Killian Phillips.